Implantable device with optical telemetry
First Claim
1. An implantable device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising:
- an implantable transmitter configured to transmit information to the external device via an optical communications link; and
an implantable receiver configured to receive information from the external device via an inductive communications link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for optically communicating with an implantable device. In one embodiment, the system includes an implantable device having a large memory and an external unit which downloads information from the memory for analysis and display. The implantable device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and a modulator for driving the LED. Although various frequencies can be used, frequencies which experience relatively little attenuation through body tissue are presently preferred. The external device includes a photo-multiplier tube (PMT) and a demodulator for equalizing and demodulating the detection signal produced by the PMT in response to detected light. A high bandwidth channel (perhaps as much as 500 Mbits/sec) is created by these components. This channel advantageously allows for a substantially reduced download time.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An implantable device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising:
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an implantable transmitter configured to transmit information to the external device via an optical communications link; and
an implantable receiver configured to receive information from the external device via an inductive communications link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
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9. An implantable device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising:
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an implantable transmitter configured to transmit information to the external device via an optical communications link;
an implantable receiver configured to receive information from the external device via an inductive communications link, the implantable receiver including a receiver coil; and
a power converter configured to convert current induced in the receiver coil into energy. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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13. An external device capable of communicating with an implantable device, comprising:
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an external transmitter configured to transmit information to the implantable device via an inductive communications link; and
an external receiver configured to receive information from the implantable device via an optical communications link. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An external device capable of communicating with an implantable device, comprising:
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an external transmitter configured to transmit information to the implantable device via an inductive communications link; and
an external receiver configured to receive information from the implantable device via an optical communications link, wherein the external receiver includes a light sensor to produce a detection signal, and an enabling device to produce an enable signal for the light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. An implantable device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising:
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an implantable transmitter configured to transmit information to the external device via an optical communications link that provides an optical bandwidth; and
an implantable receiver configured to receive information from the external device via a non-optical communications link that provides a bandwidth lower than the optical bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. An external device capable of communicating with an implantable device, comprising:
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an external transmitter configured to transmit information to the implantable device via a non-optical communications link that provides a non-optical bandwidth; and
an external receiver configured to receive information from the implantable device via an optical communications link that provides a bandwidth higher than the non-optical bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification